With iconic twin cooling towers overlooking the Rock River Valley, Byron Generating Station's two nuclear reactors produce more than 2,300 megawatts of zero-emissions energy: enough carbon-free electricity to power more than 2 million homes.

We’ve been part of Byron, Illinois and its surrounding communities for more than 30 years. We provide hundreds of well-paying jobs and millions of dollars in economic support, including about $33 million in taxes annually for schools, roads and other public services.

<div class="intro-content copy-section">​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Byron Generating Station is a nuclear power plant located near Byron in Northern Illinois, about 110 miles west of Chicago. </div><div class="copy-section"><p>Byron has 2 units capable of generating approximately 2,347 net megawatts (MW) of electricity. Together the units can produce enough energy to power more than 2 million average American homes. Its massive twin cooling towers reach 495 feet into the air, overlooking the scenic Rock River Valley. The site has two pressurized water reactors designed by Westinghouse. Units 1 and 2 began commercial operation on September 16, 1985, and August 2, 1987, respectively.</p></div>​
<div class="grouper"><div class="row"><div class="grouper-section"> </div><div class="section-header"><h4>Committed to safety</h4></div> ​​
<div class="grouper-content"><div class="cta-generic"><p>We use "defense-in-depth" design, which means there are redundant, diverse, and reliable safety systems to supply water to the reactor core. Every safety system has at least one independent back-up system and many have more than one. Plant safety systems are also run by multiple, redundant power sources. Certain equipment is designed to automatically shut down the plant if the need arises due to a condition outside of normal operations.</p><p>We also count on our people. Before they become Exelon employees, job applicants must pass thorough background checks. Exelon Nuclear then invests in training programs - both initial training and continuous programs for existing, experienced operations staff. </p><p>Much of our operations training is done in a full-scale electronic simulator of a control room. Initial training includes 12 weeks in the classroom, 25 weeks in the control room simulator and 16 weeks of on-the-job training. Once an employee is licensed by the NRC, that operator will continually train by spending one week in a control room simulator for every five weeks spent on shift in the control room. Even our most senior reactor operators receive training every six weeks, for a total of 8.5 weeks of training every year. </p><p>
<a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7628dbb4-4e0e-44ff-8ad0-757ff755058a&TermSetId=4edbe393-511d-4d44-ae11-d078f6633c49&TermId=4e57e9f3-21ec-4324-acf4-c7167186d0c8" target="_blank">Learn more about the safety of Exelon's nuclear energy plants.</a></p></div></div></div></div><div class="grouper"><div class="row"><div class="grouper-section"> </div><div class="section-header"><h4>Generating more low-carbon electricity</h4></div><div class="grouper-content"><div class="cta-generic"><p>Today's nuclear energy facilities produce 64 percent of America's clean, carbon-free electricity. As America confronts climate change and seeks to reduce carbon emissions, nuclear energy is a vital part of the mix. It's a 24/7 provider of base load power, far more productive than other clean energy sources and far more reliable, too. </p></div></div></div></div><div class="grouper"><div class="row"><div class="grouper-section"> </div><div class="section-header"><h4>Sophisticated emergency planning</h4></div><div class="grouper-content"><div class="cta-generic"><p>Safety is Exelon Generation's first and highest obligation. Nuclear power plants are among the best-protected private sector facilities in America, with monitoring and inspections by plant owners, local officials and the federal government. </p><p>All nuclear energy facilities in America are required to develop and test detailed emergency response plans to protect the public. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) reviews and approves these plans. The NRC also coordinates approval of these plans with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).</p></div></div></div></div><div class="grouper"><div class="row"><div class="grouper-section"> </div><div class="section-header"><h4>Plant Security</h4></div><div class="grouper-content"><div class="cta-generic"><p>By design and construction, nuclear facilities are very difficult to penetrate. That, plus a well-armed paramilitary security force, and multiple backup safety systems, delivers layer upon layer of safety.</p><p>The nuclear energy industry maintains very strict security to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to critical equipment or approaching close enough to harm the facility either by land or air. America's 62 nuclear sites are protected by sophisticated surveillance systems and approximately 9,000 highly trained, armed officers.</p><p>The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission now considers new threat scenarios and protections in emergency preparedness in light of the threat of terrorist attacks. After September 11, 2001, all those involved in emergency planning reevaluated those plans and put additional practices in place. Exelon Generation has open lines of communications with the Dept. of Homeland ​Security. </p></div></div></div></div><div class="grouper"><div class="row"><div class="grouper-section"> </div><div class="section-header"><h4>Supporting the local economy</h4></div><div class="grouper-content"><div class="cta-generic"><p>The majority of Byron's approximately 860 employees live in Ogle and Winnebago counties. The plant's annual payroll is about $81.6M​ million. During refueling outages, Byron employs about 1,500 temporary contractors who boost the local economy during their stay.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="grouper"><div class="row"><div class="grouper-section"> </div><div class="section-header"><h4>We live here too, and we're good neighbors </h4></div><div class="grouper-content"><div class="cta-generic"><p>Byron aims to be a good neighbor and is very active in many of the surrounding communities.</p><p>
<strong>Sponsorship.</strong> ​​The power plant sponsors a number of events and organizations, including the Oregon Summer Concert Series, the Rockford Association for Minority Management, and various fundraisers for local fire protection districts and civic groups. Byron Generating Station also sponsors annual festivals in the towns of Byron, Leaf River, Mt. Morris, Oregon and Stillman Valley as well as sponsoring the Ogle County Fair each year. The plant is a major sponsor of the Byron and Oregon Chambers of Commerce.</p><p>
<strong>Charitable Giving & Volunteering.</strong>​​ Byron employees give generously to the community through a variety of charitable activities, including a total site donation of more than $150,000 to the local United Way chapters. The plant also sponsors blood drives and various “Day of Caring” events where employees visit a non-profit agency and help complete needed work projects. Additionally in 2016, the plant donated $5,000 in 2016 to sponsor the Catherwood Memorial Playground in Stillman Valley and dedicate it to fallen Byron Marine Alec Catherwood. The plant also gave $5,000 to STEM programs in the Oregon and Mt. Morris school districts.​ The facility’s goodwill committees also donate food, toys and clothes to non-profit community groups, especially during the holidays.​ </p></div></div></div></div>​

Byron Generating Station

It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again.